Textile treating apparatus



May 5, 1964 E. J. BERGER ETAL 3,131,840

TEXTILE TREATING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 29, 1960 l5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS aye/1Q. BY @M7/WIK?? Mli TTORNE YS @hun trok. h.

May 5, 1964 E. J. BERGER ETAL 3,131,840

TEXTILE TREATTNG APPARATUS Filed Aug. 29, 1960 l5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

May 5, 1964 Filed Aug. 29, 1960 Enmnaama C' E. J. BERGER ETAL TEXTILE TRETING APPARATUS 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TORS ATTORNEYS May 5, 1954 E. J. BERGER Emi. 3,131,840

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TEXTILE TREATING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 29, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 Flai 11i R01/5E YLE IN VENTORS.

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May 5, 1964 E. .1. BERGER ETAL 3,131,840

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May 5, 1964 E. J. BERGER ETAL 3,131,840

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May 5, 1964 E. J. BERGER r-:TAL

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May 5, 1964 E. J. BERGER ETAL 3,131,840

TEXTILE TREATING APPARATUS INV ENTORB Emil Jeigerz. BY H dd/E/si',

M17? @Je ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O 3,131,849 TEXTILE TREATING APPARATUS Emil J. Berger and Howard K. West, Lansdale, Pa., assignors to Turbo Machine Company, Lansdale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Ang. 29, 195, Ser. No. 57,098 7 Claims. (Cl. 223-76) This invention relates to apparatus and methods for treating textiles. More particularly, it is yconcerned with apparatus and methods for treating textile articles, such as hosiery, sweaters land the like, knitted from thermoplastic yarn, such as nylon, while stretched upon at profiled shaping forms. Y

This application comprises a continuation-impart of our pending patent application Serial No. 830,678, filed July 30, 1959 for Textile Treating Apparatus and Method, now abandoned, in turn, comprising a continuation-in-part of our now abandoned patent application Serial No. 779,113, led December 9, 1958 for Textile Treating Apparatus, now abandoned.

In the treatment of textile articles `knitted from thermoplastic yarns, many separate process steps are required in order to convert lgoods in the greige into finished products ready for sale. With respect to ladies hosiery, for example, between the time that the articles are examined in the greige and then are paired in their finished condition, they are subjected to the steps of presetting, scouring, dyeing, finishing and linal setting, all of which involves many separate handlings. With goods knit from fine denier yarns, such multiple handling subjects them to a high risk of irreparable damage such as runs and tears, resulting in `a high loss factor. While numerous attempts have been made to reduce or combine la number of the processing steps necessary lto convert greige goods into finished goods, `and otherwise reduce the extent to which the articles are handled, such attempts have not proven to be commercially successful.

A chief object of this invention is the provision of apparatus whereby the various process steps necessary for converting knitwear from 'the greige into finished articles may be combined in -a single machine processing cycle involving a minimum of handling of the articles.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of apparatus whereby the presetting, scouring, dyeing, finishing, final setting, rinsing and drying of textile articles may be accomplished in a single machine processing vcycle in a minimum of time within an autoclave or treating chamber.

A further object of this invention is to provide such apparatus having an automatic control system whereby the presetting, dyeing, nishing, final setting, rinsing and drying operations are carried out during controlled, predetermined intervals.

A Vfurther object of this invention is to provide such apparatus wherein the scouring, dyeing, finishing and setting operations may occur simultaneously, or where one or more of such operations may occur successively to one or more of the other such operations Awithin the time interval of the machine processing cycle.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus for treating textile articles wherein dyeing of the articles may take place at a certain predetermined temperature 4and final setting thereof may thereafter take place at ai, higher predetermined temperature, and wherein presetting of the articles may take place either prior to or during dyeing thereof, all during a single machine processing cycle.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus which may be used for carrying out the aforementioned multi-purpose objectives, yand which may also be f. ICC

used as either a preboarding or a final boarding machine for textile articles knitted from thermoplastic yarns.

A further object of ythis invention is to provide apparatus of the type aforementioned wherein nishing and rinsing may occur simultaneously.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method of treating textile articles wherein the articles may first be scoured, dyed and heat set during a delinite time interval, and thereafter rinsed during a definite time interval.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method of treating textile articles wherein the articles may first be dyed at a predetermined temperature and thereafter set by heat at a higher predetermined temperature during a single processing cycle.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method of treating textile articles wherein the articles, during a single processing cycle, may be preset at a predetermined temperature prior to dyeing and final setting.

How the foregoing as well as other important objectives and attendant advantages of our invention are realized in practice will appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof shown in the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of an integrated textile treating apparatus embodying our invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in end elevation as seen when loomng from the right of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary perspective views from different angles of the rear of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View of the treating chamber taken as indicated by' the angled arrows V-V in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by the angled arrows VI-VI in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken as indicated by the angled arrows VII-VII in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view in elevation, partly in section, taken as indicated by the angled arrows VIII- VIII in FIG. 3 showing storage reservoirs for the various liquids used in treating textiles.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view in plan taken as indicate by the angled arrows IX-IX in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is `an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective showing one type of nozzle for spraying textile articles with the treating liquids while in the treating chamber.

FIGS. 11 and 12 'are diagrammatic views, partly in section, of the control valves used in the treating liquid spraying system.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic View of the electric controls for governing the admisison of rinse liquid and lair to the rinse reservoir.

FIGS. 14, 15 yand 16 are diagrammatic views showing successive stages in the treatment of textile articles.

FIG. 17 is a wiring diagram showing the various electrically actuated instrumentalities by which automatic operation of the apparatus is controlled.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view in perspective, and partially diagrammatic, of a modification of the treating chamber and of the automatic control system of the apparatus.

FIGS. 19 and 2O are fragmentary sectional views in elevation showing modified means of measuring controlled quantities of the dye solution used in the apparatus.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary perspective view showing means for introducing controlled quantities of a textile finishing compound into the rinse liquid.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second modification of the treating chamber with the outside wall partly broken away.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view in side elevation of the chamber, with the' door closed, of said second modification.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view in side elevation of the means of said second modication whereby steam is introduced directly into the dye solution as it travels through the liquid spraying system.

Basic Apparatusr Basically, the apparatus herein illustrated is generally of the construction disclosed in E. l. Berger and H. W. Matthews U.S. Patents Nos. 2,321,452 and 2,736,105, issued June S, 1943 and February 28, 1956, respectively. It includes an upright rectangular treating chamber or autoclave 1 (FIGS. l and 2) having a retractable door 2 at the front hung from suspension trolleys 3 which are constrained to travel back and forth upon Vtrack bars 4 extending forwardly from the top of said chamber. When closed, as in FIGS. 2 and 5, door 2 is held uid tight by retractable latches 6 against strip packing 5 disposed perimetrically about the opening of chamber 1. Through rack and pinion means designated 7 in FIGS. 1 and 2, the door 2 is moved to opened and closed positions by a reversible electric motor 8 and an associated speed reduction unit 9 mounted atop the chamber 1.

Extending longitudinally of the front of chamber 1 beyoud the opposite side Walls thereof are aligned stationary tracks 10 and 11 for the guidance, respectively, of collapsible carriages 12 and 13 upon each of which multiple upstanding textile forms F are mounted. Supported on the back f the door 2 is a track section 15 (FIGS. 3 and 5) which, when the door is fully open, registers with said stationary tracks. The carriagesl 12 and 13 are propelled along the stationary tracks and 11 to and from the track section 15 on door'2, when the latter is open, by a conveyor means, similar to that of the aforesaid Patent No. 2,736,105, which includes a rack bar 16 (FIG. 1V) having teeth in mesh with a spur gear 17 on a transverse Y shaft 18 suitably journalled in the open base frame 19 on which the treating chamber 1 is supported. As shown in FIG. 2, shaft 1S is driven, through a speed reducer 20, by a' reversible electric motor 21 mounted within base frame 19. Y

' By means similar to that described in the aforesaid Patent No. 2,736,105, the carriages 12 and 13 are automatically disconnected from the rack bar 16 upon being advanced to position upon the track section 15 at the back of the retractable door 2. In the use of the apparatus, textile articles are drawn downwardly over the forms F on one carriage when such carriageis expanded and positioned on its stationary track while the other carriage, with its forms loaded, is collapsed and positioned within the chamber 1 for treatment of the articles. The apparatus isV provided with a limit switch 22 (FIG.l 1) adapted to be operated by the carriages 12 and 13, and with door actua'ole limit switches 24 and 25 (FIG. 2), all of which will be referred to again hereinafter. For the purposes of illustration, the forms F on the respective carriages 12 and 13v are adapted for the treatment of ladies hosiery and are arranged in two rows, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. When the carriages are collapsed, as shown in FIG. 9, the forms F of one Vrow are staggered with respect to the forms F of the other row.

Supply Equipment for the Treating Liquids The supply equipment for the treating liquids includes a tank 30 which is subdivided, as shown in FIG. 8, into three compartments 31, 32 and 33 which serve as reservoirs, respectively, for a concentrated dye solution, a dye diluting liquid (which may be Water) and a Wash or rinse liquid (which likewise may be Water). The dye solution preferably includes a detergent for scouring the textiles, a dye and a wax. If desired, the dye solution may also contain a textile nishing compound whereby the textile articles to be treated in the apparatus may be simultaneously scoured, dyed and finished. By suitable framing, Which has been omitted from the draWings,-the tank 30 4 may be supported at the rear of the chamber 1 (FIG..3) at an elevation above a well 1a in the bottom of said chamber. The dye diluent, which is indicated in the drawings to be water, is introduced into reservoir V32 through a pipe 34 under control of a solenoid valve 35. A predetermined quantity of such water is maintained in reservoir 32 by overflow of the excess through an adjustable stand pipe 36 which, at its bottom connects with a waste pipe 37 leading to drain pipe 53. Similarly, rinse liquid, also indicated in the drawings to be water, is introduced into the reservoir 33 through a pipe 38 having a hand valve 39 and a check valve 40 interposed therein. Connecting into the top of the reservoir 33 is a branch 41 of a pipe 42 which leads from a source of compressed air (not shown), said branch 41 being fitted with a normally closed solenoid valve 43, a pressure switch 43a and a relief valve 44. An electric probe 80 is'disposed in reservoir 33 for a purpose presently to be explained.

A horizontal conduit 45 -is connected, through vertical branches 46 and 47, respectively, to the bottoms of reservoirs 32 and 33. Branches 46 and 47 have valves 43Y and 49, respectively, interposed therein.

Within the reservoir 31, at fthe top thereof, is a small measining vessel 50. Leading downwardly from vessel 50 and connecting into branch 46 of the conduit 45 above valve 48 is a tube 51 in which a normally closed valve 52 is interposed. The drain pipe 53 leads fromthe bottom of the reservoir 31. Flow through pipe 53 from tank 31 is prevented by keeping the hand valve 55 closed. Connecting tto the pipe 53 immediately above hand valve 55 is a pipe line 56, 57, 58 through which the dye solution is drawn from the reservoir 31.by a pump 59 and discharged into the top of the measuring vessel 50, said pump 59 being constantly driven by an electric motor 60 during use of the apparatus. Interposed in the delivery section 58 of the piping is a solenoid valve 61. At certain times during the operation of the apparatus, as hereinafter'explained, the valve 61 is closed whereupon the circulated f dye solution is diverted upward through pipe 62 and discharged directly into the reservoir 31. KVThe measuring vessel 50 is provided with a vertically adjustable depth gauge 63 for regulation of the amount of dye solution retained therein.

As an alternative, pipe 58 may be connected to the plunger of a solenoid 61', as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, in a manner to position pipe 58 so that dye solution normally is discharged directly into the top of reservoir 31. In such arrangement, when the coil of the solenoid 61' is energized, its plunger is actuated to position pipe 58 over vessel 50 (FIG. 20) and thus permit dye solution to discharge into the vessel. The solenoid 61 is electrically controlled so as to remain energized for a period of time suicient to ensure the iilling of vessel 50 with dye solution. When the coil ofsolenoid 61 is deenergized, the plunger thereof returns pipe 58 to its normal` position (FIG. 19). In the foregoing arrangement, of course, the distal end of pipe 58 must be shortened suiciently to clear the top of vessel 50, and vesesl 50 may be formed with a lip 50 to aid in the discharge of dye solution into said vessel: In such arrangement also, pipe 62 is dispensed with, and a by-pass pipe 62' may be in terposed in pipe 57 below pipe 58.

As best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, operating arms 48ay and 52a, respectively, of the-valves 48 and 52 are coupled for simultaneous actuation Vby a link 65. Arm 52a is connected to the spring retracted piston rod 66 of anair air cylinder 67 pivotally suspended froin a bracket 68 (FIG. 8),clamped to the branch conduit 46. Admission of compressed air into the cylinder 67 is controlled by an attached solenoid valve 69 which is in communica-4 tion, through a branch 70, with the air pipe 42; Similarly, the operating arm 49a of the valve 49 is connected to the spring retracted piston rod 75 of an air ,cylinder I 76 pivotally suspended from a bracket 77 (FIG. V8) clamped to the branch conduit 47. Admission of Acom-j a pressed air into the cylinder 76 is controlled by an attached solenoid valve 78 which is in communication, through a sub-branch 79 of the branch 70, with the air pipe 42.

Flow of compressed air into the top of the reservoir 33 by way of the branch pipe 41 is controlled by the electrical system diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 13 comprising a relay-transformer 81, probe 86, pressure switch 43a and solenoid valve 43. The A side of relaytransformer 81 is connected to a source of electric power (not shown in FIG. 13) while its B side is connected to probe 8G and grounded at 82. Compressed air is introduced into reservoir 33 for the purpose of shutting o how of rinse liquid from pipe 38 and also to facilitate the flow of rinse liquid from reservoir 33 through branch 4'7 when valve 49 is open. As will be readily understood, when the air pressure in reservoir 33 exceeds the water pressure in pipe 38 check valve 411 will close to shut od further ow from pipe 38. In the event the liquid level of reservoir 33 should rise so as to Contact probe 36, as indicated by the dot-dash line in reservolr 33 in FIG. 13, a circuit is completed to the B side of relay-transformer 81 thereby closing the relay thereof. The closing of this relay completes a circuit through pressure switch 43a to solenoid valve 43 to open that valve and thereby admit compressed air from pipe 41 into reservoir 33. When the air pressure in reservoir 33 reaches a predetermined amount, sucient to shut check valve 40, pressure switch 43a opens to break the circuit to valve 43 whereupon that valve closes shutting off further dow of compressed air to reservoir 33. The relay of relay-transformer 31 remains closed so long as the rinse liquid remains in contact with probe Si?. If, in the meantime, the air pressure in reservoir 33 should drop to a point suiicient to cause check valve 40 to open and admit more rinse liquid to the reservoir, pressure switch 43a will again close to complete the circuit to solenoid valve 43 to open that valve and again admit compressed air into reservoir 33.

If desired, the textile nishing compound may be mixed with the rinse liquid as it is discharged from reservoir 33, instead of being mixed with the dye solution. For tlrs purpose, a supply of such nishing compound may be maintained in a tank 195 (FIG. 8) connected to branch 47 by a pipe 196. The amount of finishing compound discharged from tank 195 into branch 47 is controlled by a valve 197.

In FIG. 21 there is shown more detailed means for introducing controlled quantities of the inishing compound into the rinse liquid. Such means includes a venturi Sd connecting pipe 196 to the suction side of pump 105 and a bleeder pipe 361 interposed between the discharge side of pump 105 and the venturi 361i. Interposed in pipe 196 are a check valve 392, a needle valve 363 and a solenoid valve 364. Solenoid valve 394 is connected in parallel in the circuit of solenoid valve 49, and thus the two valves will operate simultaneously. By suitable adjustment of needle valve 333, controlled quantities of iinishing compound will dow through pipe 196 from tank 195 to venturi 300 when solenoid valve 3134 is open. As pump 165 discharges rinse liquid through pipe 16S, a small quantity of such liquid is by-passed through bleeder pipe 301 and venturi 3% to the suction side of pump 1115. As a result of the venturi action upon the by-passed liquid, the nishing compound in pipe 196 is drawn through the venturi to the suction side of pump S where it is mixed with the rinse liquid drawn from reservoir 33.

Liquid Spraying System As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, arranged crosswise within the treating chamber 1 at the top thereof are spaced spray manifolds comprising tubes `35 each of which is provided with a series of downwardly directed jet nozd zles S6. The tubes are closed at one end and are connected at the other end to a supply manifold S7.

Similarly arranged crosswise within the treating chamber 1 at the back thereof, and at a level somewhat above the bottom of said chamber, is a spray manifold comprising a tube SS which is provided along both its top and bottom with a series of jet nozzles 89 of the type illustrated in FIG. l0. Tube 88 is closed at one end and is connected at its other end to a downward extension 87a of supply manifold 37. As shown in FIG. 10, each nozzle 89 of tube 3S has an elongated body 90 whereof one end is closed and the other end is screwed to an elbow 91 that connects into the tube S8. The nozzle body 9d preferably is disposed in substantially parallel relation to the tube 88, and is formed with axial dow bore 96a in communication with tube 88 through elbow 91. Disposed in the body of the nozzle 89 are two axially spaced, elongated, radial spray notches 92 in communication with the axial ilow bore 96a of the nozzle.

Another spray manifold comprising a tube 95 (FIGS. 3 and 5) also having nozzles S9 of the type shown in FiG. 10 is mounted on the back of the door 2 at the same level as tube 8S. Tube 95 is closed at one end and is connected at its other end to a vertical tube 96 secured to the door 2 by straps 97. As best shown in FIG. 5, a fitting 98 at the top of the tube 96 has a protruding nipple which is tapered to engage into the complementally tapered mouth of a fitting 99 at one end of the supply manifold S7 to form a fluid tight connection. Thus, liquid is conveyed from manifold 8'7 through ttings 99 and 98 to tube 96 for delivery to nozzles 89 of tube 95.

The sprays from the two opposing banks of nozzles S9 are directed toward the forms F in the manner indicated by the broken lines in the lower portion of FIG. 5 and in FG. 9. The sprays from the nozzles 86 are directed downward toward the forms F in the manner indicated by the broken lines in the upper portion of FIG. 5.

Disposed exteriorly of one side Wall of the chamber 1 is a vertical pipe 199 (FIG. 3) which is provided at its upper end with a fitting 101 from which a horizontal branch pipe 192 extends into the chamber 1 for connection to the nozzle supply manifold 87 in the top of said chamber. At its lower end, pipe 113? is connected to the discharge end of a rotary pump 1115 which, together with its electric driving motor 197, is mounted on a tloor base 1%. As shown in FIG. 4, the intake end of the pump 1%5 is connected by a pipe 108 to the vertical branch 199 which extends down from the well 1a in the bottom of treating chamber 1. A solenoid valve 119 is interposed in the pipe 11,13 between pump 105 and branch 109. Beyond branch 199, pipe 16S is connected to an exhaust pipe 129 by a solenoid valve 121. The horizontal conduit 45 is connected to pipe 163 between pump 1115 and valve 119.

The valves 119 and 121 are connected by operating arms 11971 and 121:1, respectively, to a common link 251) (FlG. 4) which, in turn, is connected to the spring retracted piston (not shown) of an air cylinder 251. Admission of compressed air from branch 252 of air pipe 42 into cylinder 251 is controlled by a normally closed solenoid valve 253. When valve 253 is closed, the piston of cylinder 251 is retracted to retract link 25) and thereby open valve 121 and close valve 119. When solenoid valve 253 is energized, it opens to admit compressed air into cylinder 251 and thus actuate link 259 to close valve 121 and open valve 119. Thus, valves 119 and 121 operate in tandem, the one always being open while the other is shut, and vice versa.

Surrounding the vertical pipe 16th may be a heat eX- changer jacket 111i (FIG. 3) into the top of which steam is introduced by way of a branch pipe 111 leading from a steam supply mam 112 under regulative control of a hand valve 113 (FiG. 4). The supply of steam to the heat exchanger 11@ is controlled by a solenoid valve 114 7 (FIG. 4) interposed in the branch pipe 111. Ahand valve 115 is also interposed in pipe 111. After traversing the heat exchanger 110, the steam is conducted from the bottom thereof through an exhaust pipe 116, having a trap 117 interposed therein, to drain pipe 176 and thence to the waste manifold 118.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the treating chamber 1 is shown as having internal steam radiators 165 or equivalent heat exchanger means which are arranged vertically along opposite side walls of the chamber and along the back wall thereof on each side of the poppet valves 127, 128. The radiators 165 are connected at their tops and bottoms by crosswise tubes 166 and 167, as best seen in FIG. 6. Additionally, in this embodiment, a horizontal radiator 170 also is disposed within the chamber 1 immediately below the roof thereof and is connected by tubes 171 and 172 to the tops of the radiators 165. Steam is conducted through a pipe 173 and an elbow 175 to the radiator 170 from whence it passes through the tubes 171 and 172 to the radiators 165. Pipe 173 has a hand valve 174 (FIG. 4) interposed therein and is connected to main steam line 112 by branch pipe 111. The condensate from the radiators 165 is carried off through a pipe 176 connected to one of the radiators 165 by an elbow 177. Pipe 176 has a trap 173 (FIG. 3) interposed therein and connects to the waste manifold118.

The embodiment of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 is adapted for the simultaneous scouring, dyeing and heat setting of the textile articles. To ensure proper treatment of the textiles, the sprays of the nozzles 86 and 39 preferably are directed so that a portion of the liquid being sprayed strikes the radiators 165 and thus is vaporized. The vaporization of the dye liquid in this manner brings the heat in chamber 1 up to heat setting temperature which is determined, of course, by the character of the textile articles being treated. If desired, jacket 110 may be dispensed with, in which event the liquids being sprayed would be heated solely by the radiators 165, 170.

Drying Facilities As shown in FIG. 5, there are disposed within the back wall of the chamber 1, adjacent the bottom and top thereof, two spaced tubular housings 125 and 126 for poppet valves 127 and 128, respectively. The valves 127 and 12S open inwardly and close against the inner ends of their housings 125 and 126. The stems 129 and 130 of the poppet valves 127 and 128 are slidingly supported in bearings sustained by spiders 131 and 132 disposed within the housings 125 and 126, respectively.

The valves 127 and 128 are arranged to be actuated by an air cylinder 133 which is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank lever 134 fulcrumed at 135 to a lug on the housing 126. The other arm of the lever 134 extends through a clearance slot 136 in housing 126 and engages between two studs 137 on the stem 130 of the valve 128. The piston rod 13S of the cylinder 133 is pivotally connected to one arm of another bell crank lever 140 fulcrurned at 141 to a lug on the housing 125. The other arm of the lever 140 extends through a clearance slot 142 in housing 125 and engages between two studs 143 on the stem 129 of the valve 127. Ailixed to the side of the cylinder 133 is a solenoid valve 145 for controlling admission of compressed air into the top of the cylinder when the poppet valves are to be opened and to the bottom of the cylinder when said valves are to be closed, said solenoid valve being connected by a branch pipe 146 to the air line 42 (FIG. 4).

Connected to the outer end of the housing 126 is a rotary airblower 159 which is arranged to be driven by an electric motor 151 (FIGS. 2, 5). To the inner side of the rear wall of chamber 1 is secured an elongated, transversely-extending, box-like structure 152 which serves as a shroud about the poppet valve 128 and which has a longitudinal slit 153 in its front wall. As best shown in FIG. 7, the shroud 152 is offset atits opposite ends to overlap the rear wall portions of the radiators 165. Connected to the outer end of the housing is an air exhaust pipe 154 (FIG. 4). When the poppet valves 127 and 123 are open and the blower 150 is started, air is forced past the valve 128 and through the slit 153 of the s. roud 152 toward the forms F. The air is diiused upwardly about the forms F to absorb moisture from the textile articles thereon and finally escapes through the open poppet valve 127 to exhaust pipe 154.

Before reaching the blower 150, the air is drawn through a vertical casing 155 (FIG. 4) attached to the exterior of one side wall of the treating chamber 1 adjacent the back thereof. The casing 155 has an air inlet opening 156 adjacent the top thereof. Extending down through the casing 155 are nned tubes 157 which, at their upper ends, are connected to the steam supply pipe 112V and which, at their lower ends, are connected to a steam exhaust pipe 160 having a trap 161 interposed therein. Thus, by the means just described, the air is heated before being introduced by the blower 150 into the treating chamber 1.

While heated air is the preferred drying medium used in the practice of this invention, any equivalent gaseous drying media, including superheated steam, may be utilized.

' Start Up At the same time, valves 113, 114, 115 and 174 in the steam supply lines 112, 111 and 17.3, are opened, permitting steam to pass through the heat exchanger jacket 110, through the radiators and 170 in chamber 1 and through the air heating tubes 157. Since valve 61 is closed, pump 59 draws dye solution from the bottom of reservoir 31 and circulates it through pipes 56, 57' and 62 directly to the top of reservoir 31.

Dye Cycle The dye cycle of the apparatus is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 15. After the predetermined quantities of dye solution and dye diluent have been delivered to well 1a, valves 48 and 52 are closed, shutting ott further flow of these liquids. Valve 61 is opened to permit resumption of delivery of dye solution to vessel 50 by pump 59 and valve 35 is opened to permit resumption of ow of diluent to reservoir 32.

Following the closing of valves 48 and 52, the pump 105 is started. The mixture of dye solution and dye diluent is then circulated by pump 105 from well 1a through branch 109, pipe 108, pump 105, pipe 100, branch pipe 102 to the nozzles 86 and 89 via their respective manifolds and supporting tubes. The dye mixture sprayed by the nozzles on the textile articles mounted on the forms F drains to the well 1a, from whence it is recirculated by pump 105, in a closed system, during a time interval sufficient for the proper setting, scouring and dyeing of the articles. Y

By reason of steam Vpassing through the jacket 110 and the radiators 165 and 170, a portion of the dye mixture is vaporized, thereby bringing the chamber 1 up to setting temperature. In treating ladies nylon hosiery, the temperature in the chamber 1 for proper simultaneous setting, scouring and dyeing preferably should bev on the order of 230 F. for a dye cycle of two minutes duration. This temperature range is achieved in practice when the steam passing into pipe 173 is under approximately 100 pounds pressure and at a temperature of approximately 300 F.

Following the lapse of the time interval required for proper setting, scouring and dyeing, valve 121 is opened and the dye mixture is carried oli through exhaust pipe 120. The dye cycle is now completed.

Rinse Cycle The rinse cycle of the apparatus takes place next, and is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 16. At the completion of the dye cycle, when valve 121 is opened, valve 119 is closed and valve 49 also opens.

Upon the opening of valve 49, pump 105 draws rinse liquid from tank 33 through branch 47, conduit 45 and pipe 108 and pumps the rinse liquid through pipe 100 and pipe 102 to the nozzles 86 and 89 where it is sprayed on the textiles mounted on the forms F. The rinse liquid drains to well 1a and immediately is exhausted from lthe chamber 1 through branch 109 and exhaust pipe 120. Valve 121 remains open during rinsing.

Rinse liquid is pumped to the nozzles 86 and 89 for a predetermined period of time. During the rinse operation, the discharge of rinse liquid into branch 47 causes the air pressure to drop in reservoir 33, thus permitting check valve 40 to open for resumption of ow of rinse liquid from pipe 38.

Following the lapse of the predetermined time interval, sucient to ensure thorough rinsing of the textile articles, valve 49 is closed and the operation of pump 105 ceases. After the remaining rinse liquid is drained from the well 1a, valve 121 is closed.

Following the rinse cycle, the drying cycle takes place with the passage of heated air through the chamber 1 in the manner previously described. After a predetermined time interval, the drying cycle is completed, the door 2 opens and the forms F are delivered to their corresponding stationary track for removal of the nished articles.

It is to be noted that both rinsing and drying take place at atmospheric pressure.

Automatic Control Means An electrical system for automatically controlling the operation of the apparatus is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 17. Power is supplied to the system by main lines 225 having a transformer 226 interposed therein. Transformer 226 is electrically connected to the control system through a starting relay 220.

In describing the operation of the electrical system, it will be assumed that the empty forms F of carriage 13 are positioned on track 11, to the right of the apparatus, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1. Door 2 is open with the forms F of carriage 12 positioned on the track section 15 thereof.

Operation of the apparatus is commenced upon the closing of main switch 200 which completes a circuit through relay 221 to the motor 60 of the dye circulating pump 59. Pump 59 commences circulation of dye solution from the bottom of reservoir 31 through pipes 56, 57 and 53 to the Vesse150.

Next, starting switch 201 is closed to complete a circuit to the starting relay 220 which thereupon closes. Relay 220 remains closed throughout the operation of the apparatus. The closing of relay 220 completes a circuit through temperature switch 219 to steam solenoid valve 114 and thereby opens that valve. With the hand valves also open, steam passes through supply main 112 and pipes 111 and 173 to the heat exchanger jacket 110, radiators 165 and 170 and air heating tubes 157.

The closing of relay 220 also completes several other circuits. A circuit is completed through a contact of dye thner 207 to solenoid valve 253 to open that valve. As a result, compressed air is admitted to cylinder 251 to actuate the piston rod thereof and link 250 to open valve 119 and close valve 121 simultaneously. A circuit also is completed through a contact of relay 217 and through time delay relay 203 to solenoid valves 35 and 61. After a predetermined period of time, suiicient to ensure the 1511-' ing of dye diluent tank 32 and dye solution Vessel 50, valves 35 and 61 are closed by time delay relay 203, thereby shutting off ilow of dye solution to vessel 50 and dow of dye diluent to reservoir 32. At the moment that time delay relay 203 closes valves 35 and 61, it completes a circuit to the coil of relay 217, whereupon relay 217 closes. The closing of relay 217 completes a circuit through time delay relay 202 to solenoid valve 69 whereby valve 69 is opened to permit passage of compressed air into the cylinder 67. The entry of compressed air into cylinder 67, as shown in FIG. 11, depresses piston rod 66 to open dye diluent supply Valve 4S and dye solution supply valve 52 and permit these liquids to discharge to chamber well 1a.

Valves 43 and 52 remain open for a predetermined period of time under the control of time delay relay 202 after which they are closed. Meanwhile, Valves 35 and 61 remain closed for a predetermined period of time under the control of time delay relay 203 following which they are opened. Valves 35 and 61 do not open until after valves i8 and 52 have been closed.

The forms F of carriage 13 now are loaded with the textile articles which are to be treated. Following loading, switch 204 is pressed to complete a circuit through relay 205 to conveyor motor 21 which operates to move carriage 13 to the left, as viewed in FIG. l, onto track section 15 of door 2. At the same time, the forms F of carriage 12 are moved from track section 15 onto stationary track 10. The closing of switch 204 also completes a circuit to relay 223 which thereupon closes.

As the loaded forms F of carriage 13 move onto track section 15, they actuate track limit switch 22 to open the circuit to motor 21, thereby halting the carriage 13, in its collapsed condition, on track section 15. The actuation of limit switch 22 closes a circuit through relays 223 and 206 to door motor 8 whereupon that motor operates lto close door 2 through the interposition of rack and gear 7.

When door 2 closes, it actuates switch 25 to open the circuit to motor and stop that motor. The actuation of switch 25 sets up an open circuit through temperature switch 219 and relays 240 and 241 to the motor M of the dye timer 207. Following the closing of door 2, the temperature in chamber 1 rises rapidly. When this temperature rise reaches a predetermined point, sufficient for proper setting, scouring and dyeing of the textile articles, temperature switch 219 is actuated to open the circuit to solenoid valve 114, thus closing that valve to shut off further ow of steam. The actuation of switch 219 also energizes the circuit through relays 240 and 241 to the motor M of dye timer 207 to start that motor and thus commence the dye cycle. Should the temperature in chamber 1 drop to a predetermined low point, switch 219 is thereupon actuated to close the circuit to solenoid valve 114 to open that valve and again admit steam to the radiators 165 and 170 and the jacket 110. The actuation of switch 219, as a result of the temperature drop in chamber 1, deenergizes and hence opens relay 240. Because of relay 241, however, a circuit to the motor M oi the dye Itimer is maintained, and thus the dye cycle is not interrupted.

In addition to the foregoing, the actuation of switch 25 by door 2 completes a circuit .through a contact of rinse timer 209 and relay 20S to the nozzle pump motor 107 to start pump 105. With valves 48 and 52 now closed (by time delay relay 202), pump continuously circulates the mixture of dye solution and dye diluent from well 1a to the nozzles 85 and 89.

The closing of switch 25 also completes a circuit to time delay relay 203 which opens valves 35 and 61 to resupply dye diluent to reservoir 32 and dye solution .to vessel 50, in the manner diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 15.

Upon termination of the dye cycle, timer 207 opens the circuit to solenoid Valve 253 to close that Valve and 

1. IN TEXTILE TREATING APPARATUS, FOR HEAT SETTING AND FINISHING TEXTILE ARTICLES WHILE MOUNTED ON SHAPING FORMS, HAVING A CHAMBER WITH A WELL DISPOSED AT THE BOTTOM THEREOF, A PLURALITY OF SHAPING FORMS FOR TEXTILE ARTICLES, MEANS FOR INTRODUCING THE SHAPING FORMS, WITH TEXTILE ARTICLES MOUNTED THEREON , INTO THE CHAMBER AND THEN CLOSING THE CHAMBER TO THE ATMOSPHERE, AND AN AUTOMATIC SPRAYING SYSTEM, INCLUDING A PUMP AND PIPING CONNECTING THE WELL WITH A SET OF NOZZLES IN THE CAHBMER, FOR SPRAYING PREDETERMINED QUANTITIES OF A PLURALITY OF TREATING LIQUIDS IN SEQUENTIAL RELATIONSHIP ON THE TEXTILE ARTICLES MOUNTED ON THE FORMS, (1) A RESERVOIR FOR CONTAINMENT OF A TREATING SOLUTION (2) A RESERVOIR FOR CONTAINMENT OF A DILUENT, (3) CONDUIT MEANS CONNECTING THE RESERVOIRS TO THE WELL, (4) NORMALLY CLOSED VALVE MEANS IN SAID CONDUIT MEANS AND (5) AN AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM OPERATIVE TO OPEN THE VALVE MEANS FOR RELEASE OF SELECTED QUNATITIES OF THE TREATING SOLUTION AND DILUENT TO INTERMIX IN THE CONDUIT MEANS EN ROUTE TO THE WELL TO FORM A TREATING LIQUID AND TERHEAFTER TO CLOSE THE VALVE MEANS AND, FOLLOWING CLOSING THE VALVE MEANS AND OF HTE CHAMBER TO THE ATMOSPHERE, TO START THE PUMP FOR CIRCULATION OF SAID TREATING LIQUID BETWEEN THE WELL AND THE NOZZLES FOR PREDETERMINED TIME INTERFAL. 